Steam engine



\Nov. 1930. J. L. MOHUN 1,781,407

STEAM ENGINE Filed Aug. 9, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet l Nov; H, WW. 7 J. L. MOHUN STEAM ENGINE 3 Sheensheet, 2

Filed Aug. 9, 1924 STEAM ENGINE Filed Aug. 9, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Nov. 11, 1930 JonN n Motr n-N, "or OMAHA, NEBRASKA swam ENGINE Application filed flugust 9, 1-924; Serial IloQ' FSLOSB.

This invention relates to improvements in steam engines.

An object of the invention to provide a device for use in connection with the cylintiers of a steam engine, such as a locomotive,

including cocks or valves for draining or Venting theliqiiid of condensation from the cylinders of the engine. p

Another object of the invention is to pro vi'dea device having means which positively andat all timeshold the venting means in venting or open position'while the locomotive is at rest. together with means for automaticallyclosingsaid venting meansby utilizing a po'rt-i'onofthe steam admitted tothe locomotive cylinders for drivingthe same. Another object of theinvention is to pro vide automatic ventingineans of this character which are a'r ranged to close when the locomotive is drifting with the steam power shut off from the cylinders; p y

Still another object of the invention is to provide venting means of: this character, together with inean'sfor operating said vent- V ing means toopenthe samedur'ing the working operation of the locomotive cylii'i'ders, such means being operated from a point convenientto the el-iginemanvh Q h j ifitl 'e i? oh'ects ofth'e'invention willmore clearly and fully appearfroni the description and claims hereinafter following) "In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 i's a fragmentary, broken, side elevation of a locomotive, showing my invention in connection therewith. Figure 2 is enlarged, fragmentary, transve se, seotional view ofgthe inventiontaken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a trai'is'verse, sectional view of a three-way valve arrangement used in corn he lonwitli my invention. Figured is an enlarged, top planyview of the valve or cook used in nnectionwith my invention, Figure 5i a l enlarged, vertical sectional [View the valve or cook used inconnection with my invention, showing the 'valve in fully opened position, together with a portion of v vertic ll t the' actuating mechanism thereof. Figure:

skewing one of the 7 closed positions ofthc valve. Figure 7 isa vertical, sectional view of the valve, similar to Figures 5 and 6, showihg another closed position ofthevalve. Figure Sis a broken side elevational View of a locomotive showing a somewhat different embodiment of the im ention in connection therewith. And Figure 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, trans verse,,sectional view similar to Figure 2, showing the construction illustrated in connection with theembodinient of the invention as disclosed in Figure 8.

Referring more particularlyto the draw iiig's 1'0 represents a fragment offa j loc0mo tive, having the usual steam cylinder 11, and the steam pipe 12 communicating with. such cylinder for admitting the steam thereto.

lvly invention includes broadly, similar cylinder cocks or valves disposed adjacent the ends of the locomotive cylinder 11; a mechanism indicated generally at B for operating such valves; an auxiliary steam cylinder C for actuating the InechanismB; a three-way valve D; a steam pipe E com municating with the three-way valve D and the cylinder C; and a pipeF communicating:

with the inlet the'valve D. i 3 v The cocks 01' valves A are identical'in form, and only one of the same is shown and describedin detail; it should be understood, however, that I preferably provide two cocks pipe, 12 of the cylinder 11 and 01' valves for each cylinder of the locomotive.- Each valve or cock A preferably comprises a nipple 20 adapted to be threaded into the cylinder 11, and such nipple is provided with a frusto-conical valve seat 21, and an enlargedportion 22, adapted to be threaded upon the body portion 23 of a valve casing 24. The casing 24 of the valve is preferably provided with an inverted frusto-conicalseat 25, oppositely; disposed with reference to, and spaced a suitable distance from, the seat 21, thereby providing the intermediate chamber 26, shown in Figures; 5 to inclusive, the chamber 26 being adapted to loosely contain a hollow ball valve 27 disposed therein.

Thefcasing 24 is alsopreferably provided with alaterally disposed outlet duct 28, communicatin'gwith thebhaniher 26, as clearly shown in the drawings. The casing 24 is also preferably provided with a vertically e disposed bore 29 at its lower end, which is v adapted to slidably receive a" pin 30, which extends a suitable distance into the casing,

the pinpreferably having an enlarged head 31 formed thereon, the arrangement being such that the ball 27 normally rests upon the seat 25 through the influence of gravity until it is raised from Mechanism is provided for actuating the valve 27 throughthe medium of the pin'30,

and such mechanism preferably includes fingers'32, the inner end 33 of each of'which is arranged'to bear against the head 31 ofthe I, pin 30,; The fingers 32'arepreferably mount- 35,the ends of such, shaft extending through the ears 34,,so that oscillation of the shaft ed for operation by means of projecting ears 34' formed on the. valve casings vA, the fingers 32 being disposed between such ears, and preferably rigidly mounted upon a shaft will impart-movementto each finger 32 mounted thereon to raise and lower the pin 80, and

preferably pivotally connected, as shown at 37, toa link 38, the outer end of suchflink extending'in'to the small auxiliary steam cylinder- G,; mounted by any suitable means adjacent the locomotive steam cylinder 11.

Theauxiliary' steam 'cylindenC is pref erably provided with inner and outer cham beis39 were", such chambers being defined by a partition 41, having an opening 41 'thereimas shown, and by the outer and inner end wall's42 and 43 respectively, The inner 7 end portion of the cylinder (1 is preferably tapered as shown, and the innerwall thereof is provided with a slot .44 permitting entrance of the related end of the link 38. A piston 45, preferably cup shaped' in form, as shown, is slidably disposed inthe chamber'fitl, the

sliding movement of such piston being lim- 'ited the-outer wall 42, and partition 41.

The piston 45 ispivotally connected, as 'sh( w n at 46, with the outer end} ofthe link-'88,.for

reciprocating the-same, the slot 44 serving to accommodate the lateral movement of the a link 38, Mounted in" the'cham'ber 4O a spring lf, theiouterendof which is adapted a ,portioniof tl e operation of the partsalso extcnding'p'artially into the chamber '39Qof e to bear againstthe .43 of thie cylinder such spring 47} preferablybeing disposed about the link 38, -th'e innerxend tlnlereo'f bens arran r ar-ste r a. o ar 4, mounted on the: linkl' 38, such s ri g; during j the cylinder C, as-shownr} The springserves 'm im l :s red? 2. iceeat:

such seat by movement of the pin 30. r L v fmatter intothjecylinder'11,, i j

ment with the pin 30 of each valve A so as to hold the ball 27 off the seat 25. I The cylinder C is preferably connected by means of the steam pipe E with the three-way valve'D, and the steam pipe F connects the valve D, with the steampipe 12 of the cylinder 11. The valve D may be of any desired construction, preferablyincluding a casing having openings 49, 50 and 51 therein, and a valve 52 rotatably mounted in the casing, such sage 58 therein,terminating in the openings valve/being provided with an angular pas- 54'and'55, which are adapted to register with the openings 49- and 50 in one position of I the valve, and with-the openings 50and 51 in another position of the valve. A; handle 56 is provided for operating the valve stem 52. The valve D. is preferably disposed in a e position inthe cab'jof the locomotive where it may be iconvenientlyoperated by the engineman.. e p i In operat on, when the locomotive is at rest,

and no steam is being admitted to the steam v pipe 12, the spring 47 in the cylinder 39 acts to normally hold the piston 45 toiits outermost p0sition,as clearly shown inFig'ure 2. This operation, through the link 38 and the crank arm-36, impartsan inward movement to the-fingers 32,1eachbearing against the head31 ,ofthe .pin 30, to raise thelball .valve 27 into open-position, thatis, in aposition off of the-seat 25. When the partsare in, this position, the ball valveis positively held open y the spring, so that the liquid of condensation in theflocomotive" cylinder 11' is free to passoutofthe port 28;

} When the locomotive is started" and 'is working, steam is admitted into the cylinder 11 throughthepipe12 and through the pipe F- whichfcommunicates directly with the steam pipe 12, the three-wayvalve D, and I the pipe E, which-communicates directly with" the auxiliarycylinderlC,the steam pressure automaticallyiforcingthe piston 45 inwardly,

whichfcauses the'retractionofeach finger 32 from engagement vWith the pin 30, thereby permitting the dropping ofthis pin through gravity, andalso through the action of-steam 7 pressure. upon the. ball 27', such steam pres:

sure also'serving to hold-the ball Q'Ftig'htly a e s 11 5 in. engagement with the seat25, durin" the working operation of'the cylinder 11, j uring drifting ofthe locomotive, thatlis, when thesame is moving and the steam is'cutoff from the cylinder 1 2, the movement of the 7 piston creates, a par't al'vacuum, or in other words, a change in pressure s "produced,

which eifectsa tangerine bit-11,27. into eni I gagementgwith-the seat'21 of the valve, s'o

as }to close the valve and leffectually prevent entrance of relatively coldgair and foreign .When it is ;desire"d to operate thevalve27 I "toyentthe condensation from the locomotive se de s-fer ies:stakes .ere e e sixt memo? same; thevalve D may be ioperated by the Fenginemen to closethe inlet of the pipe F thereto, this being accomplished by oscillating the handletfi olrfi the valve 52, so asto laring the opening @54 oi the angular duct -3 :out of communication: with the pipe F and into'ceminunicaiion with the opening and the pipe E, this movement serving to cause the opposite opening 5:5rotthe duct53 to register with tlie exhaust opening min the valve manages. 'l hisinovement. of the valve D scrveswtoexhaust the steam inthe auxil i'airy cylinder (3 and pipe E, so that the spring- 17 tree to return the piston 45 to its outermost positiolnutliis action, through the related "connections, serving to cause the finger *32 of each cock A to raise the valve QIZ'ofi of the seat 25, thereby permitting ventingot the liquid of condensation.

The embodiment of theinvention illustrated i-in' Figurefi of the drawings, contemplates the use of an auxiliary cylinder and its associat'ed mechanism for actuating the venting means, which cylinder serves the same purposeaslthew'auxili-ary cylinder C in the combination, though the construction of such cylinder and its piston is such as to afiord means for operating the venting means, infieluding elements which coact through the production of differential steam pressure.

Referring to Figure 8-,the main steam cylinderi is indicated'hy il'le numeral 111, and

partinent 117-. l Communicating with" the compartmentIlLG is asteam pipe118, which leads to athreewayrva'lve ofa type shown at D in the othenfi'gures'iof thedrawing, andnthence-tothe steam pipe 12-, in thesa me manner: as the'ste'am pipes and F, hereinbefore described. Gommunicating with the compartment 1 17 is a: "somewhat smaller steam pipe 11'9-which leads ilOail'Cl is in comnui nica i-ion with the steam dome 1 (inotshowu) otthe locomotive as ordinarily provided.

2 lilountedior reciprocatory movement in the cylinder Gr isa pistonwhich preferably com pr ses acup-shaped member 120 adaptediior snugslidiiig engagement with the inner, walls of the. portion 112 .o f lthe cylinder, such pie having-a reduce extension 121 adapted t have a snugslidingf fit with the inner walls of the portion 113 of the cylinder, shown, a

there 'prefefahljy tern-g, scanty "122 in the extension 12 1, such I cavityfi communicating with the cavity 123 provided hy the walls of the cup-shaped portion 120 "055': thepist o'ri, the arrangement being such that-the dispesi tion crane "p rts were pist n s rves to seat the compartments l liiand 117 onefiomthe other. @onnectecl to the outer: end the enemies "121 and extending externally of the cylinder a piston rod 124, a: gland 125 being provided to afford a tight connection while permitting iBOiIJI'OCtLtlOII of said rod with the piston. The rod 124: has its outer endpivotally connected to ai lin'k 126, 9, fragment oi which is shown in Figure 8, such link being adapted to'he connected to the crank in the same manner as the :linl: 38, reciprocation of the linkIQGactua-ting venting mechairism of the; character hereinheztoredescribed. By this arrangement, when no steam is being admitted to the compartment 116,.as when the engine is at rest, or because @of the operation of the three-way valvewheu the engine is Working, steam is constantly admitted to the compartment 117 hy'tl1epipe 1 19, which communicates: with the steam sd ome :of the engine so that the piston is normally held in retracted position, thereby norinzul'ly positively holding the venting means tur'open positioni When the locomotive is started and lsworking, steam is admitted into um larger compartment 116 and by reason of the greater areaacted upon by tlie sa'ane, the resistance offered by i the pressure the smaller compartment 117 is overcome, resultinig in an outward movement of the link 1 26, permitting closing of the venting means; :In

other words, the auxiliary cylinder and its contained mechanism include means for effectinga dilierential insteam pressure resistance which serves to automatically operate the venting means.

I have herein shown and "described whatil now consider the preferredmanner of carryi n'g' out my invention, butthe same is merely illustrative ,andl contemplate all changes and modifications that come within the: scope of theclaims appended hereto. i i I claim: 1 a y a 1. In asteam engine, the combination with a cylinder having means providing; a stean'i inlet; a valve connected with said cylinder; inc urged to closed positionhy pressure in said cylinder; means for operating said valve; said means being adapted-to normally hold said valve in open position; an: auxiliary steam cylinder cooperating with said first steam cylinder,said auxiliary cylinder in cluding a piston connected with said valve operating means means connected: to the inlet of said first cylinder for admitting steam to said auxiliary cylinder; and athree-way valve interposed in the steam line to said auxiliary steam cylinder. a i i 2. In a steam engine, the combination with a cylinder having a steam inlet; a plurality of ventingmeans for said cylinder normally urged to closedpositiom; mechanism for holding the venting means open and 1 means for simultaneously operating saidxventing means, said means including an: auxiliary steam cylinder, including piston, adapted to receive steam fromthe inlet Of Shielfirst cylindersimultaneously-with admission ofste'am to said first cylinder to actuate said operatlng means to permit .closingof said venting means, the piston of said auxiliary cylinder being connected to said operating means.

3.,In ast'eam-engine, the combination with a cylinder having a steam inlet and a piston; of 'a plurality of valves-communicating with 1 said. main cylinder, each of-said' valves-including spaced seats and a ballvalve; an operating shaft connected to said valves and havingarms thereon for operating the balls of "said valves; acrank'on' said shaft; an auxiliary steam cylinder having a link connected at one end to said crank and at its opposite end to the'piston in said cylinder; resilient means normally holding saidlink in retractedposi tion;-and a steam pipe connected with said auxiliary steam cylinder and, the inlet to said first cylinder. o :3

4,, In a steam'engine,the combination with a cylinder having a steam inlet and a-piston;

. gof aplurality of valves communicating with said cylinder, each of said valvesv including oppositely'disposed, spaced seats and a ball valve; an operating. shaft connected to said valves and having arm'sthere'on for operating the balls of said valves a'crank on said shaft; an auxiliary steam cylinder having alink connected at one end to saidicrank'a-nd at its opposite end to the pistonin said cylinderglre silient means normally holding said link-inretracted position; a steam pipe connected with said auxiliary steam cylinderiand the inlet to said first cylinder; and a three-way valveinterposedin said steampipel a 7 5; Ina steam engine includingincombination a cylinder valve means for ventingcondensation from said cylinder inclnding opposed valve seats and'a ball valve; means a'rranged to normally positively retain said valve in venting position,=and means'operated by steam pressure forreleasingsaid ball valve i fromventing position. .7 l V r 6. In a steam engine, the combination with a cylinder and pistong'ofventing means for 'saidcylinder including valve meanshavin'g opposed valve seats communicating With-"said 7 cylinder, and-a valve adapted to engage one "or the other "of said-seats at different times,

dependentfupdh variation of pressure in the "cylinder; means for normally holding said valve'in'venting position when the engine'is at rest ;"and mechanism communicatingwith -said cylinder and operable. by'the admission of steam thereto to withdraw said holding ;.tion.'wl1 en steam pressure-exists in, said cyl- I lnder means for operatmg said ;valve means,

including an auxiliary cylinder having a rela 'tively large compartment communicating with said steam inlet and a smaller compartment connected with the steam supply independently of said cylinder inlet ;-and a piston having portions correspondingly large and,

small and co-operating with said compart f ments, said piston being connected with said valve meansfor. operating the sameto effect opening or permit closing thereof F 8. In a steam engine, the combination with a main cylinder and piston ofa'steam supply a for said maincyli'nder valve meansforventing condensation from said main'cylinder,

said valveom'eans being urged toward closed position directly under. the influence of the pressure ofsteam admitted to: said main cyl inder; operating means adapted normally to hold said valve means 'open atalltimes; and mechanism communicating with said steam v supply and operatedby pressureof said steam' for Withdrawing said operating means to permit-said valve tion.' v

' 9. In a steam engine, the combination with a cylinderand piston of a steam supply conmeans to a'ssumeclosed posinectedwith said cylinderi; valve meansfor venting condensation from said cylinder, said valve means being urged toward closed position by steam pressure within the cylinder Whilethe latter is operating; valve actuating'means normally preventing closing of said valve means, and adaptedto be connect- 7 7 ed with said'steam supply simultaneously with the *admissionof steam to said main; cylinder to efie'ctwithdrawal of said actuatfl in'g means to permit said valve means to close; and manually controlled mechanism [for said actuating means for cfi'ectingoperation of the/same to vent said'valve means againstythe steam-pressure in said cylinder when the same'isoperating. 1 v

10, In a steam engine, the combination with-a cylinderhaving a steam inlet; a valve connected with said-cylinder, said valve be,-

for operating: said valve, said*mea ns' being i adaptedin one position to hold sa idfv alve open and being movable to position to permitsaid V valve to c'lose, an auxiliary steam cylinder ing urged'toward closed position by pressure 7 ofsteam admitted to said cylinder; means cosoperat'ing with said main steamcylinder,

said auxiliary jcylinder including a piston connected with said valve operating means,

:said piston being 'normally urgedto move. operating means'in one'dire'cti'onto hold the valve open; conducting means connected to the inlet ofsaid first cylinder for a dmit- L tingfsteam to said auxiliary cylinder, simultaneously-with the admission of steam to said j opposite direction and-permit closing ,ofsaid valve [and means for cutting ofithe', admis sion of steam to said-auxili ry cylind r an first cylinder to operate jsaidpiston in the, q i

tion from said cylinder, said valve means being urged toward closed position when steam pressure is present in said cylinder; and mechanism adapted to hold said valve means in venting position against pressure of steam in said cylinder, said mechanism having means operable by steam admitted thereto simultaneously with the admission of steam to said main cylinder to actuate said mechanism in a direction to permit closing of said valve means.

a 12. In a steam engine, the combination with a main cylinder; of valve means movable in one direction to vent said cylinder and in an opposite direction to close said cylinder against venting; a steam controlled element connected with said valve means, said element having a surface of pre-determined area adapted to be acted upon by steam to urge the valve means in one direction, and having a surface of greater area adapted to be subjected to steam pressure to urge said valve means in the opposite position; and independent means for controlling the ad mission of steam tosaid surfaces to regulate the position of said valve means.

13. In a steam engine including in combination a cylinder having a steam inlet;

means for venting condensation from said cylinder, said means being urged to closed position when steam pressure is present in said cylinder; control means arranged to normally yieldably place said venting means in venting position against pressure in said cylinder; and additional means for exerting force upon said control means for overcoming the same to permit closing of said venting means under the influence of pressure in said cylinder.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of July, 1924.

JOHN L. MOHUN. 

